Improved mode of separating fibers of hemp, flax



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JIM B. FULLER AND JAMES P. UPHAM, OF OLAREMONT, N. H.

IMPROVED MODE OF SEPARATING FIBERS OF HEMP, FLAX, 86C.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 4,415, dated September 27, 1864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JIM B. FULLER and JAMES P. UPHAM, both of .Olaremont, county of Sullivan, and State of New Hampshire, have invented a new and useful Method of Separating the Fibers of Hemp, Flax, and other Similar Substances; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

Heretofore such fibers have been separated by the use of a picker, beater, or other similar machine; but the picking or beating operation has been performed on the fibrous material while it was in a dry condition, in which state the glutinous substance which surrounds and holds together the fibers is very hard and tough, holding them together very firm.

This invention is based on the known fact that after all the parts soluble in water have been removed from hemp, flax,and similar substances there still remains around and between the fibers a glutinous substance, which, although insoluble in water, will absorb moist- -ure from water and become soft and pliable while in water, in which condition it holds the fibers but loosely together.

The nature of this invention consists in effecting the separation of the fibers of hemp, flax, and other similar substances by subjecting them to the picking or beating actiow of an ordinary cotton picker, lapper, or willow, or an ordinary shoddy'picker, or any machine of similar nature while the fibrous material is in a wet or moist condition.

Our process may be conducted in various ways and on material in "arious conditions; but we consider the following the best and cheapest method of treating the material under our process. The material to be treated should be first freed from shives and steeped a few hours in tepid water, in ordee to dis solve the albuminous and coloring matter, after which it should be passed between squeezing-rollers, or otherwise pressed in order to remove the water together with the dissolved matter. The material should then be boiled in soap and water, or in some mild alkaline solution, until the resinous and remainiugcoloring-matter is dissolved; but this boiling operation should not be carried so far as to dissolve the glutinous substance which surrounds the fibers. The time necessary to boil and the relative amount of soap or alkali and water must be determined by the judgment and experience of the operator. The material, after being boiled, as above stated, should then be pressed nearly dry by means of rollers or otherwise. At this stage of the operation the glutinous coat which surrounds and holds the fibers together is in a soft, pliable condition,

allowing the fibers to easily separate. We

then pass the material through an ordinary cotton picker, lapper, or willow, or through a common shoddy-picker, or any machine of similar nature, while the material is still in a wet or moist condition, andthis operation may be conducted or performed while the material is at ordinary temperatures, or when the material is heated to a temperature not exceeding 2l2 Fahrenheit. This picking or beating op eration readily separates the fibers and renders them light and floeky, and if allowed to dry in a loose condition they will not again adhere to each other. After being dried in any convenient manner, they may be carded, spun, and woven into any fabrics, according to their nature.

We do not claim, broadly, separating fibers by picking or beating, as these are well-known operations.

WVhat we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

Eli'ecting the separation of the fibers of hemp, flax, and other similar substances by subjecting them while in a wet or moist condition to the picking or beating action of an ordinary cotton picker, lapper, or willow, or ordinary shoddy-picker,or any machine or machines of similar nature, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

Olaremont, N. H., March 24, 1864.

JIM B. FULLER. JAMES I. UPHAM. Witnesses:

G. WM. HOLDEN, O. S. PARKHURST. 

